CIT in Action

September 2008: Vol. 3, Issue 8

Editor’s Note: Some Changes to CIT in Action

As you will probably have noticed,CIT in Actionhas been upgraded since the last edition. We hope that these improvements make the newsletter easier to read. We have also converted to a new subscription system, which should allow us to recruit a broader range of subscribers and give you more freedom in managing your subscriptions.

In order to make the system conversion, we have separated the lists for theCIT in Actionnewsletter and NAMI Forensic list-serv.CIT in Actionwill continue to go out once a month. The forensic list-serv will serve primarily for us to make announcements, request your assistance and experience, and provide you with urgent news updates.If you have been subscribed to the forensic list-serv, we have automatically subscribed you to both the forensic list-serv and CIT in Action.

To subscribe or unsubscribe to the forensic list-serv, you can contact Laura Usher directly atlaurau@nami.org.To subscribe or unsubscribe to theCIT in Actionnewsletter, click here and create your free sign-in account with the NAMI website. Once your account is created and you are logged in, click on the tab "mySubscriptions," check the box next to CIT in Action and scroll to the bottom of the page and click "save changes." If you are currently subscribed to CIT in Action, but do not have an account on the NAMI website, contact Laura for assistance unsubscribing.

Patience, Persistence and Partnerships: the ConnecticutAlliance to Benefit Law Enforcement

Contributor: Louise Pyers, M.S.

The CT Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement (CABLE), a grass-roots non-profit organization, was born in 1997 after my son, a 19 year old college student with bipolar disorder, was seriously wounded by a police officer in a “Suicide by Cop” attempt. CABLE was established with two goals in mind:

1. To encourage cross-training of police and mental health professionals to facilitate a better understanding of mental illness from law enforcement, mental health, family and consumer perspectives.

2. Tosupportpolice in dealing with the very unique stressors of their jobs on themselves and their families through "peersupport" training. (More… )

Advocacy Spotlight: Building Community Partnerships

We are pleased to announce the availability of the next piece in our CIT Advocacy Toolkit: Community Partnerships.This short guide explains the role of community partnerships in a successful CIT program, and makes the case that CIT will only be successful if it is based on lasting partnerships. The guide also offers tips on how to build and maintain strong partnerships.

NAMI's CIT Advocacy Toolkit is designed to help NAMI state organizations and affiliates, law enforcement agencies, and mental health providers advocate for CIT in their communities. The construction of this toolkit is ongoing; as we develop materials, we'll let you know about them inCIT in Action. Let us know what resources would be most helpful to you! Contact Laura Usher (laurau@nami.org) with your comments and suggestions.

NAMI Board Advocates on Criminalization Issues

In a move designed to draw attention to the critical problem of criminalization of people with mental illnesses, the NAMI National Board of Directors has released a report calling for more jail diversion, improved services for people at risk of criminal justice involvement, and better collaboration between criminal justice and mental health professionals. (More… )

We Need Your Help!

The NAMICITCenter is looking for CIT resources that we can post on our website as examples for other CIT programs. (More… )

Comments or Suggestions?

Please let us know what you think we should include in future editions of CIT in Action by emailing Laura Usher at laurau@nami.org.